Incidence and associated factors of cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions in 1392 cancer patients treated in four French areas: a possible association with Lyme disease?

Abstract

Highlights In a large series of 1392 patients, the 266 patients treated in the French area with the highest incidence of Lyme disease were at a higher risk of cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions compared to those from other areas (16.4% versus 6.7%, 7.1% and 7.0% in medium-, low- and very-low-risk areas; P = 0.0015). The risk of cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients was higher only in the area with the highest incidence of Lyme disease. Age, sex, premedication, primary cancer location and chemotherapy regimen type had no impact on the incidence of cetuximab-induced infusion reactions in the overall population.

Keywords

• Cetuximab
• Infusion reaction
• Lyme disease
• Hypersensitivity
• Risk factors
• Alpha-gal